Decatur County Highlights Two Key Heritage and Conservation Sites

Decatur County is drawing attention to two distinct locations that combine natural conservation with historical preservation: Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Area and Brownsport Furnace. Both properties are open to the public for low-impact recreation and learning, and they are overseen by county parks in partnership with state heritage managers.

Carroll Cabin Barrens is a roughly 250-acre natural area situated near the Tennessee River that showcases limestone glades and barrens and supports rare native plant communities. The site features a roughly two-mile trail with a trailhead parking area at the corner of Smith Gravel Pit Road and Carroll Cabin Road, giving walkers and naturalists direct access to a Western Valley limestone-hill barren ecosystem that is uncommon in the region. Management of Carroll Cabin Barrens operates under a cooperative agreement between Decatur County Parks & Recreation and the Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, a structure that combines local stewardship with state technical oversight and helps preserve the site’s ecological values while keeping it available for public observation and low-impact recreation.

Brownsport Furnace represents the county’s industrial heritage. The early 19th-century iron furnace complex includes the surviving furnace stack of what was the first hot-blast furnace built in Tennessee, set within surrounding acreage managed by county parks. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained for historical interpretation and passive recreation, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to explore early industrial technology and local history without intensive commercial development.

For Decatur County, these sites have several practical implications. Conserving a 250-acre natural tract and maintaining a registered historic industrial site protect local biodiversity and cultural assets that contribute to quality of life and community identity. They also create modest opportunities for heritage and nature-based visitation that can support nearby restaurants, service providers, and small lodging businesses, especially during weekends and seasonal peak periods. The cooperative management arrangement at Carroll Cabin Barrens reduces the burden on a single agency by leveraging state expertise alongside county resources, which can lower long-term maintenance costs and improve preservation outcomes.

Residents planning visits or community groups seeking educational outings can find directions and contact information at decaturcountytn.gov/attractions. Visitors are encouraged to use the established trail and parking, respect fragile plant communities at Carroll Cabin Barrens, and approach Brownsport Furnace as a site for quiet interpretation and passive enjoyment. These two sites together underscore Decatur County’s commitment to protecting both natural and historic landscapes while offering controlled public access that benefits local residents and the broader regional economy.